The Fat of the Land eBook

Plans for these structures were submitted in due time,
and the work was pushed forward as rapidly as possible.
The horse barn made a comfortable home for ten horses,
if we should need so many, with food and water close
at hand and every convenience for the care of the animals
and their harness. The forage barn was not expensive,—­it
was simply to shelter a large quantity of forage to
be drawn upon when needed. The woodhouse was
also inexpensive, though large. Wood was to be
the principal fuel at Four Oaks, since it would cost
nothing, and there must be ample shelter for a large
amount. The granary would have to be built well
and substantially, but it was not large. The power-house
also was a small affair. The whole cost of these
five buildings was $8550. The itemized amount
is, horse barn, $2000, forage barn, $3400, granary,
$2200, woodhouse, $400, power-house, $550.

CHAPTER XII

CARPENTERS QUIT WORK

On Friday, August 30, I was obliged to go to a western
city on business that would keep me from four to ten
days. I turned my face away from the farm with
regret. I could hardly realize that I had spent
but one month in my new life, the old interests had
slipped so far behind. I was reluctant to lose
sight, even for a week, of the intensely interesting
things that were doing at Four Oaks. Polly said
she would go to Four Oaks every day, and keep so watchful
an eye on the farm that it could not possibly get
away.

“You’re getting a little bit maudlin about
that farm, Mr. Headman, and it will do you good to
get away for a few days. There are some other
things in life, though I admit they are few, and we
are not to forget them. I am up to my ears in
plans for the house and the home lot; but I can’t
quite see what you find so interesting in tearing down
old barns and fences and turning over old sods.”

“Every heart knoweth its own sorrow, Polly,
and I have my troubles.”

Friday evening, September 6, I returned from the west.
My first greeting was,—­

“No, not quite, but the painters are there,
and Nelson has commenced work on two other buildings.”

“What time can I breakfast? I must catch
the 8.10 train, and spend a long day where things
are doing.”

Things were humming at Four Oaks when I arrived.
Ten carpenters besides Nelson and his son were pounding,
sawing, and making confusion in all sorts of ways
peculiar to their kind. The ploughmen were busy.
Thompson and the other two men were shocking oats.
I spent the day roaming around the place, watching
the work and building castles. I went to the alfalfa
field to see if the seed had sprouted. Disappointed